toe kick heater in old radiant system
#1
02-27-07, 12:13 PM
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toe kick heater in old radiant system
Just bought an 81 year old house. New boiler is 5 y.o. All cast iron radiators. The kitchen has no radiator but a single small toe-kick heater with a fan (kitchen is 10' x 18').
First question. Can this work properly? There is no separate zone for the kitchen and it seems the radiators work on a different principle than the toekick (i.e. long term radiant vs. air exchange). I will be putting down ceramic tile in place of the current vinyl, so that may hold some heat.
Second question. The toe kick heater has water circ. but the fan does not kick on. Ideas about likely culprit, troubleshooting, etc.? Does it make more sense to just replace than to try to figure it out?
First question. Can this work properly? There is no separate zone for the kitchen and it seems the radiators work on a different principle than the toekick (i.e. long term radiant vs. air exchange). I will be putting down ceramic tile in place of the current vinyl, so that may hold some heat.
Second question. The toe kick heater has water circ. but the fan does not kick on. Ideas about likely culprit, troubleshooting, etc.? Does it make more sense to just replace than to try to figure it out?
#2
02-27-07, 02:41 PM
Simply, yes, it could work properly.
Toe kicks can put out a sizeable BTU. It depends on the size (MODEL???) of the unit, the temperature of the water, the heat loss of the room, whether it will provide adequate heat or not.
It could be piped in with the rest of the zone, and hot water flow through it when there is a heat call. Preferably it should receive the hottest water available, i.e. on a separate "circuit", not in series with the rads.
You may have a problem with the fan though.
It might not be getting power... there will be 120VAC HOT inside, so BE CAREFUL! Don't mess with electricity if you aren't qualified to do so!
Usually, the unit has a thermostatic control on it that will turn the fan on automatically when the water temp gets up to around 140*F. Maybe the water isn't hot enough ?
Take a look and see if you can get a manufacturer and model number, that will tell you the BTU output. Repair parts should be available if all you need is to fix the fan.
Toe kicks can put out a sizeable BTU. It depends on the size (MODEL???) of the unit, the temperature of the water, the heat loss of the room, whether it will provide adequate heat or not.
It could be piped in with the rest of the zone, and hot water flow through it when there is a heat call. Preferably it should receive the hottest water available, i.e. on a separate "circuit", not in series with the rads.
You may have a problem with the fan though.
It might not be getting power... there will be 120VAC HOT inside, so BE CAREFUL! Don't mess with electricity if you aren't qualified to do so!
Usually, the unit has a thermostatic control on it that will turn the fan on automatically when the water temp gets up to around 140*F. Maybe the water isn't hot enough ?
Take a look and see if you can get a manufacturer and model number, that will tell you the BTU output. Repair parts should be available if all you need is to fix the fan.
#3
02-28-07, 06:03 AM
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Thanks, the toe kick heater is a turbonics toester 4/5. I'm not able to find repair parts listed on their website, and their directory of dealers is sadly lacking too.
I think there is no problem with the heat of the water coming through it is definitely way too hot to touch.
I was less concerned about the amount of heat put out than the persistence of that heat in comparison to the slow cycle of the cast iron rad. system. In other words is the kitchen going to get nice and toasty for the 15 minutes 12 times a day that the boiler circulates and then get cold for the periods in between?
I think there is no problem with the heat of the water coming through it is definitely way too hot to touch.
I was less concerned about the amount of heat put out than the persistence of that heat in comparison to the slow cycle of the cast iron rad. system. In other words is the kitchen going to get nice and toasty for the 15 minutes 12 times a day that the boiler circulates and then get cold for the periods in between?
